Free
Free
Free download tier on pricing page
- Local models
- Run local LLMs with Bionic Agent
- Devices
- LM Link for up to five devices
Finding the possibilities
LM Studio
● Identity checkedLocal AI agent · Vendor site 2026-10-04
LM Studio is a desktop app for running local LLMs with the Bionic agent for work, code, and voice transcription. It combines on-device inference via llama.cpp and MLX with optional US-hosted cloud models under zero-data-retention policies.
- Category
- Local AI agent
- Free access
- Free plan includes Bionic Agent, local LLM runtime, offline transcription, and LM Link for up to five devices
- API access
- Developer docs cover lmstudio-js, lmstudio-python, and the LM Studio CLI for programmatic use
Is LM Studio right for you?
A good fit for
Developers and knowledge workers who want local-first AI with optional frontier open models in the cloud.
Before you choose
Bionic+ adds hosted models at $20/month; Pro at $100/month raises usage limits and early access features.
Overview
LM Studio Bionic blends local open-model agents with optional cloud frontier models, emphasizing privacy, downloadable weights, and creative or coding workflows on the desktop.
What it can do
Features & capabilities
Unknown is different from unavailable. Each fact carries its own evidence.
| Capability | Value | Evidence | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local runtime | Uses llama.cpp and MLX under the hood for on-device chats and agent tasks. | Facts sourced | 2026-10-04 |
| Voice transcription | Offers real-time local voice transcription with on-device audio processing. | Facts sourced | 2026-10-04 |
| ZDR cloud | Pricing FAQ states Bionic cloud inference is US-hosted with zero data retention. | Facts sourced | 2026-10-04 |
Understand the total cost
LM Studio pricing & plans
Bionic+
$20.00 /mo
USD $20 per month subscription
- Cloud models
- US-hosted open source models with discounted bulk tokens
- Privacy
- Zero data retention on Bionic cloud inference
Pro
$100.00 /mo
USD $100 per month subscription
- Usage
- Five times usage limits versus Bionic+
- Access
- Early access to new features
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Explore toolThe practical questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Bionic for free?
Yes—the Free plan includes Bionic Agent and local model support without a paid subscription.
What does zero data retention mean?
LM Studio states prompts and responses are not stored by the cloud provider when using zero data retention inference.
What is LM Studio used for?
LM Studio is a desktop app for running local LLMs with the Bionic agent for work, code, and voice transcription. It combines on-device inference via llama.cpp and MLX with optional US-hosted cloud models under zero-data-retention policies.
Does LM Studio have a free plan?
Free plan includes Bionic Agent, local LLM runtime, offline transcription, and LM Link for up to five devices. This record lists ongoing free access; check the plan limits before starting.
How much does LM Studio cost?
The listed monthly price is $20.00 USD at monthly billing. See the plan cards for entitlements, billing commitments and seat minimums.
Can I use LM Studio through an API?
Developer docs cover lmstudio-js, lmstudio-python, and the LM Studio CLI for programmatic use. API access and subscription access may have different terms; consult the linked sources.
What should I check before choosing it?
Bionic+ adds hosted models at $20/month; Pro at $100/month raises usage limits and early access features.
Price history
No retained pricing changes yet. A current price alone does not establish a historical trend.
How this profile is supported
Identity and profile
Reviewed vendor source
Read original source ↗Facts apply to the named version and check date. Send a sourced correction if something changed.